AgriGold Scam: No Succour To Victims As Government Executes Diversion Plan

With the government resorting to diversionary tactics to stymie a discussion on AgriGold scam, YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addressed the media at the Media Point of the AP Assembly on Thursday. He highlighted how the ruling party was trying to divert the issue by bringing in the issue of Speaker Kodela Sivaprasad’s controversial statements on atrocities on women. Here are the highlights of YS Jagan’s media address:

• The Government is trying to divert the issue. When we raised the AgriGold issue, the Government tried to bring up Speaker Kodela Sivaprasad's controversial comments on women and atrocities, which happened a good thirty days ago.
• The comments were telecast not just by Sakshi media, but also all media channels and major news papers. The comments were not Sakshi media's fabrications.
• Interestingly, the Government has chosen to waste time on an issue that has not happened on the floor of the assembly. It was a press conference organised outside and the Government is wasting time by showing the video clip inside the house.
• What is happening inside the house on Thursday is being done is as per Chandrababu's direction, Whip Kalwa Srinivasulu's action and Speaker's reaction.
• Why isn't the Government not showing the clippings of the Cash for Vote scam, where TDP MLA was clearly shown trying to buy off a TRS MLA and the CM's voice is clearly heard. The voice has been confirmed as that of Chandrababu by forensic experts and the Apex Court has issued a notice to him.
• If Rs 1180 crore are paid, 13 lakh AgriGold victims would stand to benefit. But, the Government has chosen not to do this. It did not show any humanity.
• AgriGold issue is a coverup. Only two of the eight brothers were arrested. The others are roaming free. The AgriGold management has sold lands and assets worth 16 crore in just a year-and-a-half. Among the purchasers are Haailand director Uday Dinakaran and Minister P Pulla Rao's wife Venkayamma. We have demanded a judicial probe by a sitting judge of the High Court. We feel a House Committee would be like the Privileges Committee, where the dice would be heavily loaded in favour of the ruling TDP dispensation.
• Why are the Haailand properties, prime lands of Yarada in Visakhapatnam and other valuable assets not included in the AgriGold assets?